THE unemployment rate in Scotland is now higher than that for the UK as a whole, figures revealed today.

Official statistics showed the rate north of the border had risen to 8.1 per cent, one percentage point higher than the UK rate.

It is believed to be the first time since the first quarter of 2006 that the rate has been higher in Scotland.

The unemployment total, which includes people who are out of work but not eligible for benefits, now stands at 216,000, up 10,000 on the previous quarter.

The figure, covering the period January to March, is also 55,000 higher than it was a year ago.

The number of people in Scotland who are out of work and claiming Jobseekers' Allowance fell by 1,000 in April to 135,400, the third month in a row that the number of people receiving the benefit has fallen.

Enterprise Minister Jim Mather said: "The third consecutive monthly fall in the number of people claiming Jobseekers' Allowance demonstrates that our work to protect and support jobs is making a difference.

"These figures show that Scotland's recovery remains fragile and we face considerable challenges as we work to consolidate recovery."

The UK Government must again allow the SNP administration at Holyrood to accelerate spending to bolster the economy, he said.

"Today's figures also demonstrate the error of the last Westminster Government's decision to withdraw stimulus measures this year. No other country in the G20, except for Argentina, is doing so at this crucial stage, and it is vital that the incoming UK Government respond positively to the Scottish Government's call for a continued stimulus package," Mr Mather argued.

"Allowing the Scottish Government to accelerate some £350 million capital spending into this year is the kind of decisive action we need to support employment across Scotland."

Labour finance spokesman Andy Kerr hit out at the SNP Government.

He said: "The bare facts are that Scotland is faring worse in the recession than the rest of the UK as a result of the Salmond slump in public investment, and there is grave concern among business and unions over the SNP's lack of action."

Mr Kerr also criticised the Scottish Futures Trust, set up by the SNP to help fund public projects.

"We have now waited two years for them to make the Scottish Futures Trust fit for purpose. Their failure to bring forward new work is creating a major gap in the market and has caused the number of construction companies going bust to double," he claimed.

"The £800 million of investment that has been lost as a result of the SNP's incompetence would have supported nearly 30,000 jobs."

Liberal Democrat finance spokesman Jeremy Purvis said: "The trend of increasing unemployment in Scotland needs to be reversed. This should be the focus of the Scottish and new UK Government, working together."

Meanwhile Liz Cameron, the chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: "This latest rise in unemployment puts the Scottish jobless rate above the UK average for the first time in a long while, and serves to underline the challenges facing both the new UK Government and the Scottish Government, in terms of our economy.

"It is clear that the recovery so far has been fragile and, if it is to continue more strongly, clear leadership is needed to put business first."

Ms Cameron said the public sector in Scotland faces "drastic downsizing over the coming years".

She added: "It will therefore be down to business to create the new jobs and the wealth needed to drive our economy forward. This can only be done in a sympathetic fiscal and regulatory environment, and we are looking to the Scottish and Westminster Governments to work together to deliver this for Scotland."